DOES MEASUREMENT OF AMNIOTIC-FLUID INDEX DETECT CHANGES IN AMNIOTIC-FLUID VOLUME AFTER 2ND-TRIMESTER AMNIOCENTESIS

The objective of this study was to establish whether variations of amn iotic fluid volume induced by second-trimester amniocentesis could be detected by serial measurements of amniotic fluid index. A total of 13 0 singleton pregnancies undergoing second-trimester amniocentesis for genetic indications were considered. Amniotic fluid index was measured at three different time intervals: 30-60 min before amniocentesis, im mediately after the procedure, and 60 min after the procedure. Serial measurements were obtained either by a single operator (n = 55) or by the three independent operators (n = 75). Significantly lower amniotic fluid index values were demonstrated immediately after amniocentesis when compared with the pre-amniocentesis and subsequent measurements i n the study design with both the single and multiple operators. No sta tistically significant changes were found between the first amniotic f luid index measurements and those obtained 1 h after amniocentesis. Th ese results suggest that second-trimester amniocentesis induces a temp orary decrease of amniotic fluid volume detectable by serial amniotic fluid index measurements, no longer evident 1 h after the procedure.